Festival staff reflects, looks forward to next year

Oct. 27, 2012 Barbecue Festival

Ben and Diana Logan pose with their 9-month-old son Isaiah for a family picture during the 29th Annual Barbecue Festival on Oct. 27.

Donnie Roberts/The Dispatch

BY REBEKAH CANSLER MCGEEThe Dispatch

Published: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 4:24 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, November 16, 2012 at 4:24 p.m.

After one of the most successful Barbecue Festivals, planning is already gearing up for next year.

With preparation for the 30th Annual Barbecue Festival comes looking retrospectively and seeing what could be done better. So Stephanie Saintsing Naset, executive director of the Barbecue Festival, and city staff met Friday, almost three weeks after the event, and discussed modifications.

Naset commended several city and county departments for their performance the day of the festival. Due to strategic planning, there were no serious accidents relating to the festival, streets were cleaned in record time, the health department reported no major vendor problems, and police safeguarding the perimeters of the festival meant increased safety for Lexington's visitors.

The festival hired more than 10 additional officers from neighboring law enforcement in addition to the Lexington Police Department officers.

"The (additional policemen) allowed traffic flow to be maintained easier. The additional officers are more expensive, but it is well worth the investment rather than someone get hurt," Naset said.

Capt. Billy Scarboro of the Lexington Police Department said this year worked better than any years prior.

"We didn't have any issues as far as I know of," Scarboro said. "Although we did have a few vehicles sneak in early that morning, but we took care of it and got the cars moved."

Scarboro spoke of an occurrence that happens almost every year. Without fail, some festivalgoers will come upon the roadblocks at the side streets, Salisbury and State streets, get out and move the barricades in an attempt to park closer to the activity. The problem may happen every year, but Naset reported that each year, fewer and fewer make it across the barricades thanks to the hard work of the police officers.

But even before the day of the festival, the road barriers posed an issue for some Main Street merchants. In what was an accident, roadblocks went up about 6:30 p.m. on Main Street and the side streets from Salisbury to State. The side roads were not to be closed until 7 p.m., but a glitch in communication caused a sticky situation for businesses still open at that time.

"We try to keep the streets open as long as possible, but we have to about close them at that time to get everything in place for the morning," Naset said.

She added that she, as well as city staff, is sensitive to the strain the street closings put on the existing businesses, and next year extra effort will be made to close the streets at the reported time and not before.

One street preacher was arrested during the festival but when all was said and done, the individual was only issued a citation for failure to disperse. According to the North Carolina General Statues 14-288.5, any law enforcement officer or public official responsible for keeping the peace may issue a command to disperse in accordance with this section if he reasonably believes that a riot, or disorderly conduct by an assemblage of three or more persons, is occurring. The command to disperse shall be given in a manner reasonably calculated to be communicated to the assemblage, the statue says.

The street preacher, Scarboro said, positioned himself in front of the Jaycees' beer garden and shouted a message of damnation to hell for consuming alcohol. The street preacher was wearing a voice-magnifying device that participants of the beer garden reached over and turned off when he came too close to the fenced-off area.

The man also made a scene during Ross Coppley's performance on Stage 3.

"We gave him plenty of warning and plenty of time before we did anything," Scarboro said.

The man was released with only a citation, but as the festival grows, so does the number of religious groups sharing their beliefs either through a spoken or written form. Naset noted several parties positioned through the festival either picketing with signs, handing out pamphlets or preaching.

The idea of a "free speech zone" for political parties and religious groups was suggested during the meeting. The zone would mimic similar areas that have been created in events such as the Democratic National Convention and the Dogwood Festival.

"As (the April BBQ Capital) Cook-off grows, this is going to become an issue as well. At this point, the festival just seems to have the most people. This is not going away, it's only getting worse," Naset said.

Even with a few dilemmas, Naset and city staff heard rave reviews about the organization and overall smoothness in the days leading up to the event as well as on festival day.

"It was a good day overall, but there is room for improvement. We'll keep working at it," Naset said.

Newell Clark, mayor of Lexington, said his family spent more time at the festival this year than years prior.

"Citizen after citizen, even after the festival, came to me and told me that it was the best Barbecue Festival they had ever been to," Clark said.

"I had one vendor tell me they travel from festival to festival, and this was the best organized festival they have been to. They loved coming here," Scarboro said.

But when one ends, the next begins. Plans are already being formulated for the grand anniversary of 30 years.

"On behalf of the sponsors, thank you (city and county staff) again. I'm looking forward to the 30th (Barbecue Festival), and we're hoping it's going to be bigger and better," Naset said.

Rebekah Cansler McGee can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rebekah.mcgee@the-dispatch.com.

<p>After one of the most successful Barbecue Festivals, planning is already gearing up for next year. </p><p>With preparation for the 30th Annual Barbecue Festival comes looking retrospectively and seeing what could be done better. So Stephanie Saintsing Naset, executive director of the Barbecue Festival, and city staff met Friday, almost three weeks after the event, and discussed modifications.</p><p>Naset commended several city and county departments for their performance the day of the festival. Due to strategic planning, there were no serious accidents relating to the festival, streets were cleaned in record time, the health department reported no major vendor problems, and police safeguarding the perimeters of the festival meant increased safety for Lexington's visitors.</p><p>The festival hired more than 10 additional officers from neighboring law enforcement in addition to the Lexington Police Department officers.</p><p>"The (additional policemen) allowed traffic flow to be maintained easier. The additional officers are more expensive, but it is well worth the investment rather than someone get hurt," Naset said.</p><p>Capt. Billy Scarboro of the Lexington Police Department said this year worked better than any years prior.</p><p>"We didn't have any issues as far as I know of," Scarboro said. "Although we did have a few vehicles sneak in early that morning, but we took care of it and got the cars moved."</p><p>Scarboro spoke of an occurrence that happens almost every year. Without fail, some festivalgoers will come upon the roadblocks at the side streets, Salisbury and State streets, get out and move the barricades in an attempt to park closer to the activity. The problem may happen every year, but Naset reported that each year, fewer and fewer make it across the barricades thanks to the hard work of the police officers. </p><p>But even before the day of the festival, the road barriers posed an issue for some Main Street merchants. In what was an accident, roadblocks went up about 6:30 p.m. on Main Street and the side streets from Salisbury to State. The side roads were not to be closed until 7 p.m., but a glitch in communication caused a sticky situation for businesses still open at that time.</p><p>"We try to keep the streets open as long as possible, but we have to about close them at that time to get everything in place for the morning," Naset said. </p><p>She added that she, as well as city staff, is sensitive to the strain the street closings put on the existing businesses, and next year extra effort will be made to close the streets at the reported time and not before. </p><p>One street preacher was arrested during the festival but when all was said and done, the individual was only issued a citation for failure to disperse. According to the North Carolina General Statues 14-288.5, any law enforcement officer or public official responsible for keeping the peace may issue a command to disperse in accordance with this section if he reasonably believes that a riot, or disorderly conduct by an assemblage of three or more persons, is occurring. The command to disperse shall be given in a manner reasonably calculated to be communicated to the assemblage, the statue says.</p><p>The street preacher, Scarboro said, positioned himself in front of the Jaycees' beer garden and shouted a message of damnation to hell for consuming alcohol. The street preacher was wearing a voice-magnifying device that participants of the beer garden reached over and turned off when he came too close to the fenced-off area.</p><p>The man also made a scene during Ross Coppley's performance on Stage 3.</p><p>"We gave him plenty of warning and plenty of time before we did anything," Scarboro said. </p><p>The man was released with only a citation, but as the festival grows, so does the number of religious groups sharing their beliefs either through a spoken or written form. Naset noted several parties positioned through the festival either picketing with signs, handing out pamphlets or preaching. </p><p>The idea of a "free speech zone" for political parties and religious groups was suggested during the meeting. The zone would mimic similar areas that have been created in events such as the Democratic National Convention and the Dogwood Festival.</p><p>"As (the April BBQ Capital) Cook-off grows, this is going to become an issue as well. At this point, the festival just seems to have the most people. This is not going away, it's only getting worse," Naset said. </p><p>Even with a few dilemmas, Naset and city staff heard rave reviews about the organization and overall smoothness in the days leading up to the event as well as on festival day.</p><p>"It was a good day overall, but there is room for improvement. We'll keep working at it," Naset said.</p><p>Newell Clark, mayor of Lexington, said his family spent more time at the festival this year than years prior.</p><p>"Citizen after citizen, even after the festival, came to me and told me that it was the best Barbecue Festival they had ever been to," Clark said. </p><p>"I had one vendor tell me they travel from festival to festival, and this was the best organized festival they have been to. They loved coming here," Scarboro said. </p><p>But when one ends, the next begins. Plans are already being formulated for the grand anniversary of 30 years.</p><p>"On behalf of the sponsors, thank you (city and county staff) again. I'm looking forward to the 30th (Barbecue Festival), and we're hoping it's going to be bigger and better," Naset said. </p><p>Rebekah Cansler McGee can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 228, or at rebekah.mcgee@the-dispatch.com.</p>